|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 21, 2019 1:33:26 GMT
Really do feel that this is a case of the show being in the wrong theatre. The pricing doesn’t help though, especially given it’s not a well known film over here. I’ve taken the gamble and booked a cheap upper circle ticket for next week. Can’t lie I’m hoping this’ll work in my favour and I’ll be upgraded, if not I’ll see what the views like from the very top/back of the theatre. Yeah it’s sad that the size of the theatre is probably what’s gonna kill this show prematurely - or at least be the main reason. A 1,000 capacity theatre woulda been perfect, like it’s Broadway home at the Brooks Atkinson, and I don’t think we’d be having this convo. That said, I’ve noticed there’s been very little national or tv promo for the show which is surprising. If you read the BWW boards, the Weisslers are apparently notoriously tight, so maybe they’ve just not stumped up the money to really advertise the show, idk. Maybe they’re doing a phased promo push, but if so they should probably get a move on!! |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2019 5:54:48 GMT
I imagine the size of the theatre is a big factor, but I think it's their pricing that has killed this. They are charging high ticket prices, but don't have the draw (yet) to support that. The film/story is not well known; the lead is not a household name; and they haven't done much promotion or built any hype. People don't know the show or the music.
I'm saying this from memory, but didn't Hamilton have more affordable tickets than this during it's first booking period? I have no knowledge of the budgeting/finance involved in staging a West End transfer, but to me it's greed by the producers. No dynamic pricing, no offers, no online rush, and they don't appear to be very accommodating with day seats (until yesterday, Mon-Wed only) for people queuing for hours. How exactly are they expecting to fill a theatre of that size?
I was really hoping to see this show as I love the OBC, so I am genuinely sad if this does close in the next few months.
|
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 21, 2019 7:56:03 GMT
I also don’t think opening just after the Olivier cut off will help. They could have had a TV performance to hopefully shift some tickets.
It’s also interesting how they haven’t announced a replacement for KMP after May. I know they’re very last minute with their casting in New York but it just doesn’t seem like they have a strategy.
Compared to Come From Away and 9 to 5, the pricing is a lot higher for this one in general. CFA shifted loads of seats at £10/£20 initially and has been building word of mouth. 9 to 5 was able to sell its previews on “Dolly Mania” and is now pricing any seats left on the day dynamically or releasing them as rush.
Curious to see how long Waitress can hold out for. I’d like to think it can last the summer.
|
|
57 posts
|
Post by Pennywise57 on Mar 21, 2019 8:06:24 GMT
I am sure it will be open in three weeks. If it is to close soon I would imagine it will be when Katherine leaves. Thanks for reassuring me!! Fingers crossed it will be, was just panicking that I wouldn't get to see it. Can't wait to see Katherine! |
|
|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 21, 2019 8:16:51 GMT
I imagine the size of the theatre is a big factor, but I think it's their pricing that has killed this. They are charging high ticket prices, but don't have the draw (yet) to support that. The film/story is not well known; the lead is not a household name; and they haven't done much promotion or built any hype. People don't know the show or the music. I'm saying this from memory, but didn't Hamilton have more affordable tickets than this during it's first booking period? I have no knowledge of the budgeting/finance involved in staging a West End transfer, but to me it's greed by the producers. No dynamic pricing, no offers, no online rush, and they don't appear to be very accommodating with day seats (until yesterday, Mon-Wed only) for people queuing for hours. How exactly are they expecting to fill a theatre of that size? I was really hoping to see this show as I love the OBC, so I am genuinely sad if this does close in the next few months. Talking about the draw, I also think they overestimated the draw that Sara Bareilles is in the UK. She’s a huge draw for US audiences and undoubtedly helped the show over there (both with visibility and when she’s performed herself to boost box office), but here in the UK she’s really not that well known. |
|
|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 21, 2019 8:52:49 GMT
Did anyone see this tweet, it’s pretty heartbreaking. From a 20 year old young woman who is terminally ill who posted about how seeing Waitress meant so much to her. 😭🥰 It’s sweet that a lot of the cast have replied and reached out to her. 🙌❤️
|
|
|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 21, 2019 9:27:33 GMT
Stylistically, it's a bit off. It does not read abused waitress who finds her inner strength. It kind of looks like sexy waitress for Halloween. I'm curious how unrecognizable the score will sound with all her riffing. She's talented AF. But the Mariah thing needs to simmer down. If you search her name on YouTube someone has put up audio of her opening night SUTBM. For me she’s riffing too much and treating it like someone singing it at a concert. It’s definitely the most deviation I’ve ever heard the song sung in the show itself from all the audios I’ve heard. Not really for me, but I’ll probably be in the minority! |
|
5,868 posts
|
Post by mrbarnaby on Mar 21, 2019 19:09:37 GMT
Did anyone see this tweet, it’s pretty heartbreaking. From a 20 year old young woman who is terminally ill who posted about how seeing Waitress meant so much to her. 😭🥰 It’s sweet that a lot of the cast have replied and reached out to her. 🙌❤️ What a lovely and heartbreaking email. How wonderful that Katherine McPhee and others have messaged her. |
|
4,361 posts
|
Post by shady23 on Mar 21, 2019 19:14:50 GMT
The true magic of live theatre right there!
|
|
|
|
Post by jcs619 on Mar 22, 2019 8:24:20 GMT
Baz seems to insinuate that Joseph will be replacing Waitress after it has finished its Palladium run this Summer.
Whether you like Waitress or not, (I thoroughly enjoyed it Last Saturday), it will be sad to see a Show new to the West End close so quickly.
It's the ticket prices that are to blame rather than the quality of the show and the superb cast.
|
|
|
|
Post by iamamazing on Mar 22, 2019 9:00:26 GMT
I hope this show doesn’t end I loved it on broadway.
|
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 22, 2019 9:17:09 GMT
Baz seems to insinuate that Joseph will be replacing Waitress after it has finished its Palladium run this Summer. Whether you like Waitress or not, (I thoroughly enjoyed it Last Saturday), it will be sad to see a Show new to the West End close so quickly. It's the ticket prices that are to blame rather than the quality of the show and the superb cast. He is? Can’t seem to find that tweet. |
|
|
|
Post by jcs619 on Mar 22, 2019 9:33:36 GMT
It's mentioned in his Column in todays Mail.
|
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 22, 2019 9:53:50 GMT
It's mentioned in his Column in todays Mail. Aah ok thank you. Makes good sense to keep the theatre from being empty if Waitress does prematurely shutter. |
|
|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 22, 2019 9:55:17 GMT
I’ll be sad if this happens. Maybe Waitress could move to a smaller theatre (which it shoulda been in to start with) if one was available, although I am sure the chance of that actually happening would be v slim. ALW is not gonna give up the chance to make big box office with his own show in one of his theatres.
The other thing is, do we really need Joseph lasting anymore than 11 weeks on the West End?! 😐
|
|
4,800 posts
|
Post by Mark on Mar 22, 2019 10:10:09 GMT
The other thing is, do we really need Joseph lasting anymore than 11 weeks on the West End?! 😐 What we don’t need is empty West End theatres. |
|
|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 22, 2019 10:26:07 GMT
The other thing is, do we really need Joseph lasting anymore than 11 weeks on the West End?! 😐 What we don’t need is empty West End theatres. I’m not advocating empty West End theatres, I’d just prefer new or fresher shows in them instead of Joseph! I wonder if Mean Girls is sniffing around? I thought they were looking for theatres for a potential WE move? |
|
|
|
Post by stagey on Mar 22, 2019 10:43:17 GMT
What we don’t need is empty West End theatres. I’m not advocating empty West End theatres, I’d just prefer new or fresher shows in them instead of Joseph! I wonder if Mean Girls is sniffing around? I thought they were looking for theatres for a potential WE move? I agree. I’d much much rather see new shows in the West End, either brand new shows like ‘& Juliet’ or Broadway transfers. Joseph is already at the Palladium for Summer, people who want to see it can see it then! If it does transfer to the Adelphi, I really do hope it isn’t for an open-ended run. The Adelphi is such a good theatre it would be a shame to see it with this for ages, Mean Girls would fit there so well - perfect size for it and works well in terms of location. |
|
175 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Sean on Mar 22, 2019 10:51:40 GMT
The other thing is, do we really need Joseph lasting anymore than 11 weeks on the West End?! 😐 I think Joseph perfectly deserves its place in the west end for however long it can sustain. I know it is not everyone's cup of tea but it is a really great family show. Especially for young children (Catchy songs, great visuals, easy to follow story & not too long) Lion King & Matilda really are the only other shows suitable for families with young children. (Wicked, Mama Mia, Play That Goes Wrong are good family shows too but not for very young children.... they are either too long, too loud, not visual enough to sustain the attention of a child etc). I know a lot of people would rather see something new come in but we have had that with waitress and if reports are to be believed, that is making its departure soon enough. So if Joseph is to play & keep a theatre busy and allow families with younger audience members an additional option when choosing what to see then I don't have any problem with that & yes I know ticket prices are high for the palladium but if it is to transfer to the Adelphi I don't imagine Sheridan or Jason will transfer with it so the price band may be reduced a little, making it a little bit more affordable for a family treat. The Adelphi is a prime theatre, It will have demand from others shows so if Joseph does play there for a little bit then I don't see why we should bash it. |
|
678 posts
|
Post by westendcub on Mar 22, 2019 11:00:36 GMT
I’ll be very sad to see this one go if it dies in the summer, went last night for 2nd time & absolutely love it!! Well if it does have to end sooner then I plan to go to the closing show, such a wonderful show!
|
|
1,930 posts
|
Post by LaLuPone on Mar 22, 2019 11:30:10 GMT
I’ll be incredibly upset if this closes. It’s my favourite show after Wicked and it’s such a shame that it hasn’t caught on over here. I will 100% be at closing night if it is to close in the summer.
|
|
|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 22, 2019 11:33:48 GMT
I’ll be incredibly upset if this closes. It’s my favourite show after Wicked and it’s such a shame that it hasn’t caught on over here. I will 100% be at closing night if it is to close in the summer. Sad thing is it’s caught on well enough, just not to be sustainable long term in such a large theatre but that was everyone’s concern from the very moment they chose the Adelphi. You live and die by these decisions I guess. |
|
175 posts
Member is Online
|
Post by Sean on Mar 22, 2019 11:48:06 GMT
I’ll be incredibly upset if this closes. It’s my favourite show after Wicked and it’s such a shame that it hasn’t caught on over here. I will 100% be at closing night if it is to close in the summer. Sad thing is it’s caught on well enough, just not to be sustainable long term in such a large theatre but that was everyone’s concern from the very moment they chose the Adelphi. You live and die by these decisions I guess. They must have ignored advice they were given. I mean somewhere along the way someone must have said:
- The Adelphi is too big. - This is not a well known film in the UK. - Sara Bareilles is not well known in the UK. - The star casting ye have chosen, well yeah....... they are not well known in the UK.
Someone has to have pointed this out at some stage.
|
|
|
|
Post by sparky5000 on Mar 22, 2019 12:13:40 GMT
Sad thing is it’s caught on well enough, just not to be sustainable long term in such a large theatre but that was everyone’s concern from the very moment they chose the Adelphi. You live and die by these decisions I guess. They must have ignored advice they were give. I mean somewhere along the way someone must have said:
- The Adelphi is too big. - This is not a well known film in the UK. - Sara Bareilles is not well known in the UK. - The star casting ye have chosen, well yeah....... they are not well known in the UK.
Someone has to have pointed this out at some stage.
Yeah, I just don’t know how the decisions are made. I mean the Adelphi is a prestige theatre and so if it becomes available it might be hard to turn down. In answer to your points: - Yeah, I know NYC is a different market, but when the Brooks Atkinson has a capacity of just over a 1,000 and that hasn’t been selling at 100% capacity since its first year (and the only times it’s come close in the last year or so was when Sara Bareilles, Jason Mraz and Kat McPhee have played Jenna) you’d think they would have been more cautious with the venue they picked. - True but I don’t think it was a well known film in America either. The Sara Bareilles factor def helped sell it in the States, and it’s southern charm has wide appeal there I think. - Yeah, Sara’s really not that we’ll known here to the masses, so I don’t think she’s been much of a factor in selling the show in the UK. When I mentioned the show to my sister in law she was pretty much “Sara who?” 😃 - Well to be fair, I don’t think they think they have star cast the show. Kat McPhee is, however, at least as, if not more, recognisable than the current crop of West End stars that were mooted for Jenna. Realisitically, if they were wanting a big star name as Jenna who would also be up to the task vocally and sell a ton of tickets on name alone I think they would have struggled to find someone. I can really only think of Sheridan Smith, and I’d personally question if she’d have the chops for Jenna (although there’s no doubting she’d bring in the punters). Samantha Barks maybe because of the Les Mis factor, but I don’t think she’s really that big a name to the masses either. She wasn’t available anyway! |
|
|
|
Post by MrsCondomine on Mar 22, 2019 12:20:29 GMT
I assume, with most UK peeps, response to "Sara Bareilles" would be something like this:
You: Sara Bareilles
Them: Uh?
You: Not gonna write you a love song
Them: Aha oh yeah that was my myspace profile song
She's not a USP.
|
|
